With increasing mercury level the demand for saplings has shoot up

 

With increasing mercury level and awareness among populace the demand for saplings has shoot up. Volunteers of various organisations, environmentalists willing to increase green cover in the city, are approaching forest department seeking saplings of seasonal fruits and flowers.

The forest department has raised 6.30 lakh saplings to distribute for several NGOs, general public from June first week. Two years ago about five lakh saplings were distributed, and last year 5.70 lakh.

Even the demand for saplings has also gone up in nurseries. People are thronging to buy colourful and seasonal plants to plant in gardens, and their backyard. The forest department officials are also planting saplings in hospitals, hostel backyards, anganwadis, and government lands.

B Huchaiah, Deputy Conservator of Forest said that with increasing awareness quite a good number of individuals, NGOs, and various organisations are coming forward to purchase the saplings. The demand for Honge, Neem, Jack Fruit, Nerala is high. While, farmers are purchasing Hebbavu, Silver Oak, and seedling are sold from Rs 1 to Rs 3.'

'In the last two months several education institutions, organisations have approached seeking saplings, and we have asked them to collect saplings in June, as its rainy season and grows well. If the saplings are planted in summer it goes dry, and will be a black mark for the department,' he added.

Former Minister SA Ramdas said that in association with various organisation nearly 3 lakhs saplings will be planted in next two months in city surroundings, outer ring road, and Chamundi Hill. 'We are getting saplings from forest department, as well as nurseries. Talks will be held with officials to know the suitable place to plant trees on outer ring road.'

Parisara Jagruthi Vedike has already planted 800 saplings on the ring road, and 6,000 more will be planted in next month. Vedike President T Mahadevaswamy said: 'We are 50 volunteers and are creating awareness among young minds by visiting education institutions. We are educating people by distributing brochures, conducting debate for students. By June will tour all schools in rural villages, and educate children about importance of planting tress.'

Environmentalist Latha says: 'Planting trees is a permanent solution for all the existing problems we are facing, such as shortage of rain, energy crisis, depletion of ground water and several other environmental related issues.

'There is a need to intensify educate people about conservation of lakes, flora and fauna, rain water harvesting, reduce of private vehicles, planting trees, nurturing birds, thereby motivating people to join hands for contribution of environment', she adds.

Highlights

* With increasing mercury level the demand for saplings has shoot up.

* Forest department to distribute saplings from June

* Various organisations to plant 3 lakh saplings